Make Your Own Tea Bags

Check out this simple guide to homemade tea bags — plus a couple recipes to get started.

By Ashton Keefe

A cup of tea can sometimes cost the same as coffee in local shops, cafes and restaurants, but tea is simply herbs and hot water. Tea bags alone can hike up a grocery store visit, but fear not! Here’s a simple guide to crafting your own versions with a couple recipes to get started.

What You’ll NeedScissorsCoffee filterStapler*15 millilitres (1 tablespoon) of tea* The bags can also be sewn shut by stitching the edges with a piece of thread.

Instructions1. Cut frilly edges off one coffee filter2. Trim circle that remains into a square3. Fold square in half4. Staple or sew the sides leaving one edge open5. Insert tea6. Seal with another couple staples

Tip: Make a quick tea diffuser if you’re short on time. Place loose tea in the centre of a coffee filter, and secure the filter edges around the cup with twine or ribbon.

Batch Tip: To make a large quantity of hot tea, simply brew loose tea in a coffee maker like you would with coffee.

Once you’ve got the hang of making your own tea bags, feel free to get creative — you might even come up with a special blend yourself! Try one of these out for starters:

Instructions1. Place nutmeg and cloves in a homemade tea bag, then steep in hot water and honey until desired strength is achieved2. Garnish with a cinnamon stick

What kind of tea are you planning to make? Or are you already a tea fanatic and making it already? Either way, let us know in the comments section below!

Ashton Keefe is the owner/executive chef of Ashton Keefe LLC Culinary Lifestyle Services, in New York City and a frequent recipe contributor and tester for O Magazine , Whole Foods Market Cooking and Everyday with Rachael Ray. Find her at her site Ashton Keefe.